Method and apparatus for supplying auxiliary electrical power to an electric or hybrid vehicle

• US 9,321,357 B2
• Filed: 03/30/2012
• Issued: 04/26/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Elwha LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Elwha LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Caldeira, Kenneth G., Chan, Alistair K., Cook, Daniel B., Duncan, William David, Hyde, Roderick A., Ishikawa, Muriel Y., Kare, Jordin T., Latham, John, Salter, Stephen H., Tegreene, Clarence T., Tuckerman, David B., Weaver, Thomas A., Whitmer, Charles, Wood, Victoria Y. H., Wood, Lowell L. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Barnie, Rexford
• Assistant Examiner(s): Inge, Joseph
• Application Number:
  US13/436,290
• Publication Number:
  US 20130257144A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,488 Days
• Field of Search: 307/9.1
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/12 Bikes
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/26 Rail vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/28 Trailers
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/40 Working vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/53 in combination with an external power supply, e.g. from overhead contact lines
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/60 using power supplied by batteries in combination with fuel cells B60L50/75
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/20 having different nominal voltages
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/342 The other DC source being a battery actively interacting with the first one, i.e. battery to battery charging with circuits for polarity protection H02J7/0034
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/60 Electric or hybrid propulsion means for production processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries

Abstract

The present invention may include a towable trailer being mechanically couplable to a vehicle, the towable trailer including an auxiliary battery housing unit, a wheel being rotatably connected to the towable trailer, an auxiliary battery disposed within the auxiliary battery housing unit of the towable trailer, the vehicle including a storage battery, the auxiliary battery of the towable trailer being electrically couplable with the storage battery of the vehicle via a bidirectional pathway, and a control system configured to control a transfer of electrical energy between the auxiliary battery of the towable trailer and the storage battery of the vehicle along the bidirectional pathway.

Claims

1. An auxiliary power system for supplying auxiliary electrical power to an electrical or hybrid vehicle, comprising:

a towable trailer being mechanically couplable to a vehicle, the towable trailer including an auxiliary battery housing unit;

at least one wheel being rotatably connected to the towable trailer;

one or more auxiliary batteries disposed within the auxiliary battery housing unit of the towable trailer, the vehicle including one or more storage batteries, the one or more auxiliary batteries of the towable trailer being electrically couplable with the one or more storage batteries of the vehicle via a bidirectional pathway, wherein the bidirectional pathway is configured to transfer electrical energy from the one or more auxiliary batteries to the one or more storage batteries, and from the one or more storage batteries to the one or more auxiliary batteries; and

a control system configured to control a transfer of electrical energy between the one or more auxiliary batteries and the one or more storage batteries of the vehicle along the bidirectional pathway, wherein the control system is configured to maintain a charge state of the one or more auxiliary batteries of the towable trailer above a preselected charge level by controlling the transfer of electrical energy from the one or more storage batteries to the one or more auxiliary batteries;

wherein electrical energy is transferred from an energy conversion portion of the vehicle through the one or more storage batteries to the one or more auxiliary batteries via the bidirectional pathway.

2. The auxiliary power system claim 1, wherein the control system configured to control a transfer of electrical energy between the one or more auxiliary batteries and the one or more storage batteries of the vehicle along the bidirectional pathway comprises:

a control system configured to selectively electrically couple the one or more auxiliary batteries of the towable trailer with the one or more storage batteries of the vehicle.

3. The auxiliary power system claim 1, wherein the control system is configured to maintain a charge state of the one or more storage batteries of the vehicle above a preselected charge level.

4. The auxiliary power system claim 1, wherein the control system is configured to establish at least one of a charge state of the one or more storage batteries of the vehicle or a charge state of the one or more auxiliary batteries, wherein at least one of the charge state of the one or more storage batteries of the vehicle or the charge state of the one or more auxiliary batteries of the towable trailer are determined by one or more parameters.

5. The auxiliary power system claim 4, wherein the control system is configured to establish at least one of a charge state of the one or more storage batteries of the vehicle or a charge state of the one or more auxiliary batteries, wherein at least one the charge state of the one or more storage batteries of the vehicle or the charge state of the one or more auxiliary batteries of the towable trailer are determined by one or more external parameters.

6. The auxiliary power system claim 4, wherein the control system is configured to establish at least one of a charge state of the one or more storage batteries of the vehicle or a charge state of the one or more auxiliary batteries, wherein at least one of the charge state of the one or more storage batteries of the vehicle or the charge state of the one or more auxiliary batteries of the towable trailer are determined by one or more internal parameters.

7. The auxiliary power system claim 1, wherein the control system is configured to establish at least one of a charge state of the one or more storage batteries of the vehicle or a charge state of the one or more auxiliary batteries, wherein at least one of the charge state of the one or more storage batteries of the vehicle or the charge state of the one or more auxiliary batteries of the towable trailer are selectable via user input.

8. The auxiliary power system claim 1, wherein the control system is configured to control a rate of transfer of electrical energy between the one or more auxiliary batteries and the one or more storage batteries.

9. The auxiliary power system claim 1, further comprising:

a user interface device, the user interface device being communicatively coupled to the control system.

10. The auxiliary power system claim 1, wherein the one or more auxiliary batteries are electrically couplable with the one or more storage batteries of the vehicle via charge/discharge circuitry of the one or more storage batteries of the vehicle.

11. The auxiliary power system claim 10, wherein the one or more auxiliary batteries are electrically couplable with the one or more storage batteries of the vehicle via a charging socket of the charge/discharge circuitry of the one or more storage batteries of the vehicle.

12. The auxiliary power system claim 1, wherein the at least one wheel being rotatably connected to the towable trailer comprises:

at least one wheel being rotatably connected to the towable trailer, wherein the at least one wheel is configured to translate the towable trailer utilizing a pulling force from the vehicle.

13. The auxiliary power system claim 1, wherein the at least one wheel being rotatably connected to the towable trailer comprises:

at least one wheel being rotatably connected to the towable trailer and operatively connected to a trailer drivetrain, the trailer drivetrain configured to supply propulsive energy to the towable trailer.

14. The auxiliary power system of claim 1, further comprising:

an auxiliary output operatively connected to the one or more auxiliary batteries of the towable trailer, the auxiliary output configured to supply electrical energy from the one or more auxiliary batteries to an additional device selectively electrically couplable to the auxiliary output.

15. The auxiliary power system of claim 1, further comprising:

a generator disposed within the towable trailer.

16. The auxiliary power system of claim 15, wherein the generator is configured to supply electrical energy to at least one of the one or more storage batteries of the vehicle or the one or more auxiliary batteries of the towable trailer.

17. The auxiliary power system of claim 1, further comprising:

a battery monitoring system configured to monitor one or more characteristics of at least one of the one or more auxiliary batteries or the one or more storage batteries.

18. The auxiliary power system claim 1, wherein the energy conversion portion of the vehicle is configured to convert the electrical energy stored in the one or more storage batteries to mechanical energy for utilization by a transmission of the vehicle to propel the vehicle.

19. The auxiliary power system of claim 1, wherein the energy conversion portion of the vehicle includes a power conversion circuitry.

20. The auxiliary power system of claim 1, wherein the energy conversion portion of the vehicle includes an electric motor.

21. The auxiliary power system of claim 1, wherein the energy conversion portion of the vehicle includes a generator.

22. An auxiliary power system for supplying auxiliary electrical power to an electrical or hybrid vehicle, comprising:

a towable trailer being mechanically couplable to a vehicle, the towable trailer including an auxiliary battery housing unit;

at least one wheel being rotatably connected to the towable trailer, wherein the at least one wheel is configured to translate the towable trailer utilizing a pulling force from the vehicle;

one or more auxiliary batteries disposed within the auxiliary battery housing unit of the towable trailer, the vehicle including one or more storage batteries, the one or more auxiliary batteries of the towable trailer being electrically couplable with the one or more storage batteries of the vehicle via a pathway, wherein the pathway is configured to transfer electrical energy from the one or more auxiliary batteries to the one or more storage batteries, and from the one or more storage batteries to the one or more auxiliary batteries; and

a control system configured to control a transfer of electrical energy between the one or more auxiliary batteries and the one or more storage batteries of the vehicle along the pathway, wherein the control system is configured to establish a charge state of the one or more auxiliary batteries of the towable trailer above a preselected charge level by controlling the transfer of electrical energy from the one or more storage batteries to the one or more auxiliary batteries;

wherein electrical energy is transferred from an energy conversion portion of the vehicle through the one or more storage batteries to the one or more auxiliary batteries via the bidirectional pathway.

23. The auxiliary power system claim 22, wherein the control system configured to control a transfer of electrical energy between the one or more auxiliary batteries and the one or more storage batteries of the vehicle along the pathway comprises:

a control system configured to selectively electrically couple the one or more auxiliary batteries of the towable trailer with the one or more storage batteries of the vehicle.

24. The auxiliary power system claim 23, wherein the control system configured to selectively electrically couple the one or more auxiliary batteries of the towable trailer with the one or more storage batteries of the vehicle comprises:

a control system configured to selectively electrically couple the one or more auxiliary batteries of the towable trailer with the one or more storage batteries of the vehicle utilizing coupling circuitry communicatively coupled with the control system, the coupling circuitry configured to electrically couple the one or more auxiliary batteries with the one or more storage batteries in response to the control system.

25. The auxiliary power system claim 22, wherein the control system is configured to maintain a charge state of the one or more storage batteries of the vehicle above a preselected charge level.

26. The auxiliary power system claim 25, wherein the control system is configured to maintain a charge state of the one or more storage batteries of the vehicle above a preselected charge level, wherein the preselected charge level is larger than a damage-causing charge level of the one or more storage batteries.

27. The auxiliary power system claim 22, wherein the control system is configured to maintain a charge state of the one or more auxiliary batteries of the towable trailer above a preselected charge level.

28. The auxiliary power system claim 27, wherein the control system is configured to maintain a charge state of the one or more auxiliary batteries of the towable trailer above a preselected charge level, wherein the preselected charge level is larger than a damage causing charge level of the one or more auxiliary batteries.

29. The auxiliary power system claim 22, wherein the one or more auxiliary batteries are electrically couplable with the one or more storage batteries of the vehicle via charge/discharge circuitry of the one or more storage batteries of the vehicle.

30. A method for supplying auxiliary electrical power to an electrical or hybrid vehicle, comprising:

providing one or more auxiliary batteries disposed within an auxiliary battery housing unit of a towable trailer, the towable trailer including at least one wheel being rotatably connected to the towable trailer;

mechanically coupling the towable trailer to a vehicle, the vehicle including one or more storage batteries;

establishing a bidirectional electrical pathway between the one or more auxiliary batteries of the towable trailer and the one or more storage batteries of the vehicle, wherein the bidirectional electrical pathway is configured to transfer electrical energy from the one or more auxiliary batteries to the one or more storage batteries, and from the one or more storage batteries to the one or more auxiliary batteries; and

controlling a transfer of electrical energy between the one or more auxiliary batteries and the one or more storage batteries along the bidirectional pathway, wherein controlling a transfer of electrical energy comprises establishing a charge state of the one or more auxiliary batteries of the towable trailer above a preselected charge level by controlling the transfer of electrical energy from the one or more storage batteries to the one or more auxiliary batteries;

wherein electrical energy is transferred from an energy conversion portion of the vehicle through the one or more storage batteries to the one or more auxiliary batteries via the bidirectional pathway.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the controlling a transfer of electrical energy between the one or more auxiliary batteries and the one or more storage batteries along the bidirectional pathway comprises:

selectively electrically coupling the one or more auxiliary batteries of the towable trailer with the one or more storage batteries of the vehicle.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the selectively electrically coupling the one or more auxiliary batteries of the towable trailer with the one or more storage batteries of the vehicle comprises:

selectively electrically coupling the one or more auxiliary batteries of the towable trailer with the one or more storage batteries of the vehicle utilizing coupling circuitry, the coupling circuitry configured to electrically couple the one or more auxiliary batteries with the one or more storage batteries.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the selectively electrically coupling the one or more auxiliary batteries of the towable trailer with the one or more storage batteries of the vehicle utilizing coupling circuitry, the coupling circuitry configured to electrically couple the one or more auxiliary batteries with the one or more storage batteries comprises:

determining an electrical energy transfer configuration for the one or more auxiliary batteries and the one or more storage batteries; and

controlling the coupling circuitry in response to the electrical energy transfer determination.

34. The method of claim 30, wherein the controlling a transfer of electrical energy between the one or more auxiliary batteries and the one or more storage batteries along the bidirectional pathway comprises:

maintaining a charge state of the one or more storage batteries of the vehicle above a preselected charge level.

35. The method of claim 30, wherein the controlling a transfer of electrical energy between the one or more auxiliary batteries and the one or more storage batteries along the bidirectional pathway comprises:

establishing a charge state of the one or more storage batteries of the vehicle above a preselected charge level upon disconnection of the one or more storage batteries from the one or more auxiliary batteries.

36. The method of claim 30, wherein the controlling a transfer of electrical energy between the one or more auxiliary batteries and the one or more storage batteries along the bidirectional pathway comprises:

maintaining a charge state of the one or more auxiliary batteries of the towable trailer above a preselected charge level.

37. The method of claim 30, wherein the controlling a transfer of electrical energy between the one or more auxiliary batteries and the one or more storage batteries along the bidirectional pathway comprises:

establishing a charge state of the one or more auxiliary batteries of the towable trailer above a preselected charge level upon disconnection of the one or more storage batteries from the one or more auxiliary batteries.

38. The method of claim 30 wherein the charge state of the one or more auxiliary batteries of the towable trailer is determined by one or more parameters.

39. The method of claim 30, further comprising:

monitoring one or more characteristics of at least one of the one or more auxiliary batteries or the one or more storage batteries.

40. A method for supplying auxiliary electrical power to an electrical or hybrid vehicle, comprising:

providing one or more auxiliary batteries disposed within an auxiliary battery housing unit of a towable trailer, the towable trailer including at least one wheel being rotatably connected to the towable trailer, the at least one wheel being configured to translate the towable trailer utilizing a pulling force from the vehicle;

mechanically coupling the towable trailer to a vehicle, the vehicle including one or more storage batteries;

establishing an electrical pathway between the one or more auxiliary batteries of the towable trailer and the one or more storage batteries of the vehicle, wherein the electrical pathway is configured to transfer electrical energy from the one or more auxiliary batteries to the one or more storage batteries, and from the one or more storage batteries to the one or more auxiliary batteries; and

controlling a transfer of electrical energy between the one or more auxiliary batteries and the one or more storage batteries along the pathway, wherein controlling a transfer of electrical energy comprises maintaining a charge state of the one or more auxiliary batteries of the towable trailer above a preselected charge level by controlling the transfer of electrical energy from the one or more storage batteries to the one or more auxiliary batteries;

wherein electrical energy is transferred from an energy conversion portion of the vehicle through the one or more storage batteries to the one or more auxiliary batteries via the bidirectional pathway.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the controlling a transfer of electrical energy between the one or more auxiliary batteries and the one or more storage batteries along the pathway comprises:

selectively electrically coupling the one or more auxiliary batteries of the towable trailer with the one or more storage batteries of the vehicle.

42. The method of claim 40, wherein the controlling a transfer of electrical energy between the one or more auxiliary batteries and the one or more storage batteries along the pathway comprises:

maintaining a charge state of the one or more storage batteries of the vehicle above a preselected charge level.

43. The method of claim 40, wherein the controlling a transfer of electrical energy between the one or more auxiliary batteries and the one or more storage batteries along the pathway comprises:

establishing a charge state of the one or more storage batteries of the vehicle above a preselected charge level upon disconnection of the one or more storage batteries from the one or more auxiliary batteries.

44. The method of claim 40, wherein the controlling a transfer of electrical energy between the one or more auxiliary batteries and the one or more storage batteries along the pathway comprises:

establishing a charge state of the one or more auxiliary batteries of the towable trailer above a preselected charge level upon disconnection of the one or more storage batteries from the one or more auxiliary batteries.

45. The method of claim 40, wherein the controlling a transfer of electrical energy between the one or more auxiliary batteries and the one or more storage batteries along the pathway comprises:

establishing at least one of a charge state of the one or more storage batteries of the vehicle or a charge state of the one or more auxiliary batteries, wherein at least one of the charge state of the one or more storage batteries of the vehicle or the charge state of the one or more auxiliary batteries of the towable trailer are determined by one or more parameters.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein the establishing at least one of a charge state of the one or more storage batteries of the vehicle or a charge state of the one or more auxiliary batteries, wherein at least one of the charge state of the one or more storage batteries of the vehicle or the charge state of the one or more auxiliary batteries of the towable trailer are determined by one or more parameters comprises:

establishing at least one of a charge state of the one or more storage batteries of the vehicle or a charge state of the one or more auxiliary batteries, wherein at least one of the charge state of the one or more storage batteries of the vehicle or the charge state of the one or more auxiliary batteries of the towable trailer are determined by one or more external parameters.

47. The method of claim 45, wherein the establishing at least one of a charge state of the one or more storage batteries of the vehicle or a charge state of the one or more auxiliary batteries, wherein at least one of the charge state of the one or more storage batteries of the vehicle or the charge state of the one or more auxiliary batteries of the towable trailer are determined by one or more parameters comprises:

establishing at least one of a charge state of the one or more storage batteries of the vehicle or a charge state of the one or more auxiliary batteries, wherein at least one of the charge state of the one or more storage batteries of the vehicle or the charge state of the one or more auxiliary batteries of the towable trailer are determined by one or more internal parameters.

48. The method of claim 45, wherein the establishing at least one of a charge state of the one or more storage batteries of the vehicle or a charge state of the one or more auxiliary batteries, wherein at least one of the charge state of the one or more storage batteries of the vehicle or the charge state of the one or more auxiliary batteries of the towable trailer are determined by one or more parameters comprises:

establishing at least one of a charge state of the one or more storage batteries of the vehicle or a charge state of the one or more auxiliary batteries, wherein at least one of the charge state of the one or more storage batteries of the vehicle or the charge state of the one or more auxiliary batteries of the towable trailer are determined by a difference between a first parameter and a second parameter.

49. The method of claim 40, wherein the controlling a transfer of electrical energy between the one or more auxiliary batteries and the one or more storage batteries along the electrical pathway comprises:

controlling a rate of transfer of electrical energy between the one or more auxiliary batteries and the one or more storage batteries.

50. The method of claim 40, further comprising:

supplying electrical energy from the one or more auxiliary batteries to an additional device via an auxiliary output of the towable trailer, the additional device being selectively electrically couplable to the auxiliary output.